State and Local

MAKETA: “I can’t enforce what’s unenforceable”

DENVER–A group of 54 Colorado county sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit Friday against two newly signed Democratic gun-control bills, calling the measures unconstitutional, impossible to enforce and a threat to public safety.

“This isn’t good public policy. These are really awful bills,” said Weld County Sheriff John Cooke at a Friday press conference. “They are unenforceable and encourage disrespect for the law, which puts both law enforcement and the public in greater danger.”

The lawsuit challenges two bills: House Bill 1224, which restricts ammunition-magazine capacity to 15 rounds or fewer, and House Bill 1229, which mandates background checks on all gun sales and transfers, including temporary transfers. Read more »

Morse is under fire for supporting a number of divisive gun control measures this year

DENVER – The effort to recall embattled Senate President John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) is gaining steam, according to the results of a new survey.  The poll, released by the women’s group I Am Created Equal, also revealed widespread voter discontent with the Democrat-controlled legislature. Read more »

The controversial proposal is awaiting Gov. John Hickenlooper’s signature

DENVER – A controversial bill to grant state-sanctioned driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants has yet to be signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper, who has been under siege for the past week by proponents and opponents of the measure. Read more »

DUNLAP:  Cold-blooded sociopath or mentally ill victim of abuse?

DENVER–She knew Nathan Dunlap when they were teenagers. She worked with him at Chuck E. Cheese, saw him socially, and once went to a party at his house. Now she wants him put to death. Read more »

HICKENLOOPER: “We’ll try to figure out some way we can get everybody a little pissed off”

DENVER–On the desk of Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is a plate full of legislative hot potatoes that threatens to leave him with a serious case of political indigestion.

The governor is under growing pressure to defy his party and veto several Democratic bills, led by a measure that would hike the renewable-energy mandate. Read more »

Gov. Hickenlooper signed a Medicaid expansion bill with estimates on cost varying widely

DENVER – In his State of the State address, Gov. John Hickenlooper announced his plan to expand Medicaid to 160,000 low-income adults. The governor succeeded – despite Republican opposition – and signed the bill into law, Monday.  Read more »

Judge Carlos Samour Jr. said he would decide whether to accept the insanity defense before a May 31 hearing

CENTENNIAL–The accused Aurora theater shooter entered a plea Monday of not guilty by reason of insanity, playing the only card he may have in an effort to save himself from execution. Read more »

No Republicans voted for the legislation, which was drawn up by Democrats, interest groups, and some county clerks

DENVER–A sweeping elections bill signed Friday by Gov. John Hickenlooper makes it easier to vote in Colorado, and that could be a problem, say critics.

Everyone agrees that the Voter Access and Modernized Elections Act will increase participation by sending every registered voter a ballot and allowing same-day registration at voting centers, which will consolidate and replace the current precinct-polling system. Read more »

Illegal immigrants are among this legislative session’s biggest winners

DENVER– Illegal immigrants are among this legislative session’s biggest winners, scoring big victories on in-state college tuition for undocumented students, and immunity from law enforcement reporting their presence to federal immigration authorities – both signed into law by Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper.  And the haul may not be over just yet. Read more »

The proposal was the last in a package of ill-fated bills designed to crack down on the state’s oil-and-gas industry

DENVER–The Colorado General Assembly adjourned Wednesday after a stranger-than-fiction moment that saw Democrats kill a key environmental bill even though it was expected to pass with bipartisan support.

House Bill 1267 would have raised fines on oil-and-gas violations from $1,000 to $15,000 per day, the first increase since 1955. Read more »